New Delhi: Hardik Pandya will be captain of the Indian team that will travel to Sri Lanka in T20Is but will opt out of the succeeding three-match ODI series.
The T20I series begins on July 27 with matches on July 29 and July 30 in Pallekele after which the all-rounder will take a break from the ODI series from August 2 to 7.
“Hardik Pandya was India’s T2O vice-captain under Rohit Sharma. He is completely fit and available for the three-match T20I series and will lead the side,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Pandya played a leading role in India’s T20 World Cup win in the Caribbean last month where they defeated South Africa in the final.
He was vice-captain of the team and after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the 20-over format, Pandya will naturally be promoted to lead the side, which is likely to be announced soon.
Pandya was rested in India’s 4-1 win over Zimbabwe in a recent series in which the team was led by Shubman Gill, who and Suryakumar Yadav are likely to be in contention to become the vice-captain.
Yadav led the T20I team in South Afruca last year. Pandya has already communicated to the BCCI and regular 50-over format skipper of his desire to take a break from the ODI series.
“The break from ODIs is for very personal reasons. Hardik doesn’t have any fitness issue as is being floated in the media,” the official told PTI.
Rohit has also asked to be excused from the ODI series with, KL Rahul, who has experience of leading the ODI team in South Africa and Gill in fray for captaincy.
The BCCI also wants all top cricketers, with the exception of Rohit, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, to particiapte in the Dlueep Trophy in August before the Bangladesh series.
The T20I series begins on July 27 with matches on July 29 and July 30 in Pallekele after which the all-rounder will take a break from the ODI series from August 2 to 7. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
